A UK-coordinated clinical trial involving up to 20,000 patients across the globe is testing a new way of stopping blood loss in patients who have suffered a major injury (trauma).
Tranexamic acid is a treatment that may minimise bleeding by reducing clot breakdown. It is widely used in major surgery, as it is effective in reducing blood loss and the need for blood transfusion. It is thought that tranexamic acid could be effective for reducing blood loss in trauma patients, but this has never been tested.
Led by Professor Ian Roberts of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the research involves more than 200 hospitals, spanning 47 countries. He commented: "Tranexamic acid is a simple and inexpensive treatment, and it is also light and remains stable in hot conditions making it ideal for use across the world. It has the potential to save thousands of lives as well as reducing exposure to the risks of blood transfusion."
